# At the Threshold of Greener and Cheaper Electric Motors for EVs with Robert Sansone, Young Innovator and Winner of the Regeneron ISEF Award

- Show: [Hardware to Save a Planet](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hardware-to-save-a-planet)
- Published: 2022-12-08
- Length: 40m
- Episode: 15
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hardware-to-save-a-planet/2022-12-08-at-the-threshold-of-greener-and-cheaper-electric-motors-for-evs-with-robert-sans
- Listen: https://podcasts.fame.so/e/r87796m8-robert-sansone-winner-of-regeneron-isef-award

## Summary

Robert Sansone, a high school student and Regeneron ISEF award winner, explains his novel synchronous reluctance motor design for electric vehicles that eliminates rare earth magnets. He details the iterative prototyping process, which involved 15 failed versions due to thermal management issues with 3D printed plastic components, before achieving a 40% torque increase in version 15. Sansone discusses his transition from hand calculations to using electromagnetic simulation software for version 16, aiming to optimize torque ripple and manufacturing via concentrated windings. He outlines his plan to license the patented technology to companies like Turntide Technology rather than manufacturing it himself.

## Chapters

- [0:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hardware-to-save-a-planet/2022-12-08-at-the-threshold-of-greener-and-cheaper-electric-motors-for-evs-with-robert-sans#t=3) Introduction: Robert Sansone and Regeneron ISEF Award
- [4:58](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hardware-to-save-a-planet/2022-12-08-at-the-threshold-of-greener-and-cheaper-electric-motors-for-evs-with-robert-sans#t=298) Synchronous Reluctance Motor Design and Rare Earth Problem
- [12:45](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hardware-to-save-a-planet/2022-12-08-at-the-threshold-of-greener-and-cheaper-electric-motors-for-evs-with-robert-sans#t=765) Science Fair Journey and Competition Experience
- [18:26](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hardware-to-save-a-planet/2022-12-08-at-the-threshold-of-greener-and-cheaper-electric-motors-for-evs-with-robert-sans#t=1106) Prototyping Process: 15 Versions and 3D Printing Challenges
- [22:23](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hardware-to-save-a-planet/2022-12-08-at-the-threshold-of-greener-and-cheaper-electric-motors-for-evs-with-robert-sans#t=1343) Thermal Management, Cooling, and Material Selection
- [23:45](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hardware-to-save-a-planet/2022-12-08-at-the-threshold-of-greener-and-cheaper-electric-motors-for-evs-with-robert-sans#t=1425) Simulation Software and Version 16 Improvements
- [26:55](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hardware-to-save-a-planet/2022-12-08-at-the-threshold-of-greener-and-cheaper-electric-motors-for-evs-with-robert-sans#t=1615) Torque Ripple, Concentrated Windings, and Future Testing
- [31:29](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hardware-to-save-a-planet/2022-12-08-at-the-threshold-of-greener-and-cheaper-electric-motors-for-evs-with-robert-sans#t=1889) Business Strategy: Licensing and Patent Process

## Topics

- [Mechanical engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/mechanical-engineering)
- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [EDA & CAD tools](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/eda-and-cad-tools)
- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Energy & climate tech](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/energy-and-climate-tech)

## Most relevant to

founders before launch

## Mentioned

- Regeneron ISEF (other)
- Fort Pierce Central High School (other)
- Turntide Technology (company)
- MIT (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

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- [Don't Miss Season 2 of Moore's Lobby](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2021-01-16-dont-miss-season-2-of-moores-lobby) (Moore's Lobby)
- [Ep108: Eulogizing Daft Punk Helmets, Bitcoin Feeling the Heat, Squeezing Soft Robots, and Motorizing Ice Skates](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2021-03-05-ep108-eulogizing-daft-punk-helmets-bitcoin-feeling-the-heat-squeezing-soft-robot) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [131. Megawatt Motors For Electric Flight](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2023-07-18-131-megawatt-motors-for-electric-flight) (The Next Byte Podcast)
- [Material Science in Motion: How 3M is Powering EV and Grid Advancements](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2025-07-22-material-science-in-motion-how-3m-is-powering-ev-and-grid-advancements) (Moore's Lobby)

## Citing this page

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